Dubai: The UAE’s richest indoor cricket league is back with its second edition.
The organisers of the tournament announced the details at a function attended by the sponsors and team owners.
The second edition will be held on May 13, 14 and 20 at United Pro Sports with more prize money on offer.
Speaking to Gulf News, Manish Kishore, the founder of the league, said: “This edition will be known as Travelwings Mirchi Premier League presented by Amity University. Teams will be named after nine districts of Dubai.”
The league players are selected through an Indian Premier League-style auction.
“Teams are allowed to preselect between three to five players. Other players who were interested to take part were invited for a an open tryout session on April 22. Over 700 players turned out for the session.
“Experienced selectors evaluated the players and pooled them into different divisions such as A, B and C,” added Manish.
Danube’s Jebel Ali Dynamos owned by Anis Sajan are the defending champions.
Rajiv Bhattacharjee, of title sponsors Travelwings.com, said: “Cricket is so popular in Dubai, and as an energetic and exciting brand, partnering with this league gives us the opportunity to share the enthusiasm with the participants.”
A cash prize of Dh50,000 and prizes worth over Dh30,000 are on offer for the winners and top performers.
Along with the tournament, there will be events for fans like family days out. A Lenovo Family Zone with games and prizes to be won and a Knightshot Gaming Zone will be at the venue.
Aster Medical Zone will provide basic body screenings.
All these zones are free for families to use.
The participating teams and owners are: AAJ’s Downtown Strikers of Anuj Sheth; Anfar’s Deira Tycoons of Abdullah Mushtaq; Athena’s Karama Warriors of Bhavesh Vanjani & Rohit Balchandani; Cheqpoint’s Jumeirah Royals of Sunil Deliwala; Danube’s Jebel Ali Dynamos of Anis Sajan; Hala’s Barsha Blasters of Hemant Dhiman; Lenovo’s Media City Stalwarts of Maheshwaran Srinivasan; Sun City’s Bur Dubai Gladiators of Yogesh Adnani; and Sutramagnus’s Oud Metha Gurus of Sunil Damodar.
